22 May 2020
‘False balcony’ is another name for a Juliet balcony or balconet. Despite their many names, these features are actually relatively simple. Unlike a full balcony which projects out from the structure, false balconies have no flooring deck and are just a railing which sit across the outer face of a window. Why install a false […]
07 May 2020
When you’re dealing with a period property, any alterations to the building exterior can present a challenge, not least to obtain planning permission. British Spirals & Castings have a great deal of experience designing and manufacturing staircases, balconies and other metalwork to exacting heritage requirements, ensuring they fit beautifully within your property and receive […]
16 October 2018
When working with period homes, you must be able to handle the occasional obstacle. Quirky building features and tougher planning requirements are common issues. We had to deal with both on a recent external staircase and balcony order which included a decorative metal side-screen. Restoration The staircase was manufactured for a 19th Century villa […]
05 February 2018
External metal staircases offer a practical solution for building owners looking to provide a safe means of evacuation. Usually customers who need these functional pieces tend to opt for simple designs such as our LCC or Diamond staircases. On a recent refurbishment, however, we had the opportunity to create a grander set of fire escape […]
17 March 2017
One of the first questions customers ask us when they’re looking to buy a balcony is “will I need planning permission?” The simple answer for UK property owners is: yes, in most cases. Balconies, verandas and other platforms higher than 300 mm are denied Permitted Development status (allowing work without planning permission) under the relevant regulations: […]
14 February 2017
It’s Valentine’s week, and amongst all of the weird and wonderful gifts on offer, you can pretty much guarantee that there will be at least a few references to the famous meeting of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers at Juliet’s balcony. In addition to providing the location for this seminal romantic moment in literature, the term ‘Juliet […]
09 May 2016
Summer has finally arrived and, having dusted off the barbeque and sun loungers, it’s now time to get started on that big project you’ve been thinking about all winter. Whether you’re building your dream home, adding an extension, or starting a renovation project, there’s a lot to consider and deciding on fixtures and fittings can […]
16 March 2016
In staircase design, a fraction of a centimetre can be the difference between a perfect fit and a complete mess, that’s why we always go above and beyond to ensure precision, whether our staircase is being installed in London or on the other side of the globe. Before our team of highly skilled craftsmen can […]
15 September 2015
When told to think of a balcony, you automatically picture an above head height structure. However we were recently asked to design and build a balcony which actually provided a walkway on ground level, and what a stunning and innovative use of our balcony component parts it was! Tasked to work alongside the architect, we […]
13 August 2015
When designing your new home, there are plenty of things you immediately consider such as the desired size, layout and overall look of the property, but have you given any thought to the growing trend in the UK self-build market of adding a balcony? A recent article in one of the UK’s leading self-build magazines […]
16 December 2014
In 2010 we were invited to design this magnificent Victorian balcony and staircase for a private residence in Bristol. The balcony is 7.5mts long by 2 mtrs wide with a 2 mtr straight stairs going down to a rest landing with 2 Victorian 1676mm diameter spirals leading down to the garden. The Regent Ornate balusters […]
15 April 2011
Balcony Ideas – Star and Diamond In conjunction with Mr Maurice Glucksman we created a new design of cast aluminium cast decking plates for balconies to compliment the slotted tread design. The new design creates a modern appearance and looks stunning in the attached photo. The plate is made up of 400x 400mm square modules […]